This included Kakashi as well.
He couldn't see through the false mask Menma wore. In fact, during this mission, Kakashi had formed a severe misjudgment of Menma.
Whether it was Menma sternly scolding Naruto and Sakura for wanting to continue the mission earlier, or his emotional outburst against Inari that night, Kakashi genuinely believed that Menma was exactly as Iruka had described: cold on the outside but warm on the inside. A person who truly cared about his comrades.
This wasn't entirely wrong.
It was just one-sided.
And outdated.
The Menma of the past did carry the temperament and habits of his previous life. Although he claimed to have fully integrated into this world, he still seemed a bit out of place.
But the current Menma was different.
Comrades? Of course, he cared about them. But he only needed to care about like-minded comrades. Could people who chose a different path—or even an opposite one—be considered comrades?
The answer was clearly no.
Those who follow different paths cannot make plans together.
On this night, Menma truly understood the real meaning of this phrase. Consequently, his goals and will became even firmer.
However, this was the reality that Kakashi would never be able to see through—at least, not for now.
The night passed peacefully.
Morning arrived.
The child named Inari, after being coldly scolded by Menma, never appeared in Menma's line of sight again. Perhaps he was afraid, or perhaps Tazuna and Tsunami worried Menma might actually hurt him and kept him away.
But regardless of the reason...
Menma didn't care.
Right now, he only wanted to find Gatō quickly. That wealthy merchant held the funds Menma desperately needed.
Startup capital was indispensable for his future plans.
Therefore, as soon as the sun rose and breakfast was finished...
Team 7 mobilized.
Sakura and Sasuke were responsible for guarding Tazuna today.
Menma took Naruto out with him. The reason for choosing Naruto was simple: Naruto knew the Shadow Clone Jutsu. When it came to gathering intelligence, Shadow Clones had unique advantages.
Menma was determined to gather all useful intelligence today. As long as he could determine Gatō's specific location—provided it wasn't too far—Menma intended to pay him a direct visit.
He trusted that Mr. Gatō's wallet wouldn't let him down!
And this time, Lady Luck clearly smiled upon Menma.
The investigation had only been underway for a short while when progress was made.
"Interesting. Mr. Gatō actually plans to come out personally, just like in the original story? And today, of all days? Haha, looks like he's full of confidence."
In a desolate corner on the southeast side of the town...
Menma stood still, holding a kunai against the neck of a cowering middle-aged man.
Obviously, the intelligence came from this man.
The reason Menma caught him so quickly was that the man had practically delivered himself. Not long after Menma split up from Naruto, he noticed this middle-aged man sneaking around behind him.
One didn't need a brain to guess this guy was up to no good.
Sure enough, after catching him and threatening him with a kunai, the guy spilled everything. His identity, how Gatō bribed him, and how he betrayed his fellow townsfolk—he confessed it all. He had absolutely no backbone. Menma had prepared several interrogation methods, waiting to test them out on him.
He had even been prepared to take him back to Kakashi for Genjutsu interrogation if he turned out to be a tough nut to crack.
Unexpectedly, none of those methods were needed.
Of course, a spineless coward like this wouldn't know too much information. The only useful intel was that Gatō would personally lead people to deal with the group of Leaf ninja.
But wasn't that enough?
"Um, Ninja-sama, I've told you everything I know. Can I go now?"
The middle-aged man looked at Menma humbly and asked tremblingly.
"Oh, of course, no problem. I'll send you on your way personally."
Menma looked at the man with indifferent eyes, his words devoid of any warmth.
"Ah, no need to trouble yourself, sir... Uh? What? Send me on my way? This...?"
Hearing Menma's words, the man was initially relieved, but then he seemed to realize something.
He looked up at Menma in horror.
Swish.
Before he could react...
Menma twisted his right hand.
A cold light bloomed.
Splurt!
"Gah?!"
Blood sprayed out.
The man's pupils shrank violently as he instinctively clutched his neck.
"Hrk... hrk..."
He wanted to say something.
But he was completely powerless.
He collapsed limply to the ground. In less than a few seconds, his life was gone. Only his wide-open eyes seemed to be questioning Menma.
Menma glanced coldly at the corpse, then turned and left. A native of the Land of Waves who could easily betray his country and his neighbors... killing such a person brought no psychological burden to the current Menma—or even the previous Menma.
Besides, if he didn't kill this guy, would he leave him alive to report back? Such people had no credibility.
having obtained the intelligence he wanted...
Menma didn't linger.
He immediately went to regroup with Naruto.
"Eh? What did you say? You have intel? Already?"
They had been separated for less than half an hour, yet Menma already had results. Naruto couldn't believe it at first.
He stared at Menma with wide eyes.
Is this the strength of the Academy's number one student? Is his recon efficiency this high?!
"Yeah, luck was on my side. Mr. Gatō plans to deliver himself to our doorstep. We don't need to waste any extra effort. We just need to be ready to welcome him."
Menma smiled faintly and replied softly.
"Haha! That means another fight! This time, I'm definitely going to beat you guys to it."
Naruto's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his fists together eagerly.
Menma maintained his faint smile and nodded gently.
Immediately after, the two leaped into action, speeding toward the location of the bridge. According to the intel, Mr. Gatō was already on his way with a massive force.
This time, Gatō was confident he could solve the problem once and for all—wiping out the ninja and the last of the resistance led by Tazuna to achieve complete control over the Land of Waves.